News Article

Pediatric Endoscopy Suite opens

Endoscopy – a minimally invasive procedure involving passage of a flexible tube into the body – can be intimidating for patients, especially young children. For this reason, MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) has opened a new Pediatric Endoscopy Suite specially designed to help children and their families feel at ease throughout their visit. MGHfC staff members and others involved in the creation of the suite gathered April 18 to celebrate its opening earlier this year.

“There is nothing like this suite in any other hospital in Boston,” said Jeffrey Biller, MD, chief of the Pediatric Endoscopy Unit. “It is truly important to have an endoscopy unit dedicated to children. Ours has been working beautifully since its official opening two months ago and has enormous potential to grow.”

After nearly seven years of planning and construction, Biller performed the first case in the suite in February. The suite – which includes two endoscopy procedure rooms, six patient rooms, a waiting room and a consultation room – is located on the fourth floor of the Gray Building next to the Adult Endoscopy Unit, allowing adult and pediatric endoscopy specialists to collaborate and share technology. Erin Quinney, a member of the MGHfC Family Advisory Council who contributed to the design, said she is thrilled with the outcome.

During the celebration, MGHfC Physician-in-Chief Ron Kleinman, MD, thanked the design and operations teams and congratulated them on their success. “We are very proud of everyone who worked to put this together.”